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Today I found "100% organic, wild harvested, Alaskan moose antlers" being sold as dog chews on Amazon 
I couldn't believe it was legit and/or legal, and now I have a
I couldn't believe it was legit and/or legal, and now I have a
Quick review 
Deer populations in the US were approx 30 mil before the arrival of Columbus. By the early 1900s down to 350,000
The Lacey Act was passed in response, and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act quickly followed, to prevent population declines by de-monetizing wildlife
Deer populations in the US were approx 30 mil before the arrival of Columbus. By the early 1900s down to 350,000
The Lacey Act was passed in response, and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act quickly followed, to prevent population declines by de-monetizing wildlife
... because people were DECIMATING populations of deer, furbearers, and birds to sell meat & make fur coats, pretty hats, and other highly sought after fashion products 
The Lacey Act made that all illegal. So how can Alaskan moose antlers be sold on the internet in 2020?
The Lacey Act made that all illegal. So how can Alaskan moose antlers be sold on the internet in 2020?
With a little research, today I learned antler sheds in Alaska are 100% legal to sell.
Skulls with antlers attached are illegal, but if you saw the antlers off, they can be sold legally just like sheds can
But what does this mean in the bigger picture?
Skulls with antlers attached are illegal, but if you saw the antlers off, they can be sold legally just like sheds can
But what does this mean in the bigger picture?
If you google "why is it illegal to sell deer meat?" a commonly provided answer & misconception is attributed to food safety laws 
with the belief that venison can't be sold bc it hasn't been inspected
This is 100% missing the mark, which Amazon isn't helping
with the belief that venison can't be sold bc it hasn't been inspectedThis is 100% missing the mark, which Amazon isn't helping
Lots of people buy antlers. Lots of people buy venison, too. Not to mention gator meat 
and snakeskin boots 
But MOST people have no idea why these products are legal -- that deer, alligators, etc are farmed to be sold
and snakeskin boots But MOST people have no idea why these products are legal -- that deer, alligators, etc are farmed to be sold
But the confusion is completely understandable 
There's no information on the Amazon page for moose antlers about why the product is legal. Zero info about compliance with Alaskan laws...
Which only further contributes to widespread ignorance about wildlife conservation.
There's no information on the Amazon page for moose antlers about why the product is legal. Zero info about compliance with Alaskan laws...
Which only further contributes to widespread ignorance about wildlife conservation.
The commodity of moose antlers on the internet, in addition to all of the other [farmed] wildlife products on the market 
distances the relationship people have with
1) wildlife and 2) conservation
distances the relationship people have with 1) wildlife and 2) conservation
Everyone who sees a moose antler, gator nuggets, or venison on a restaurant menu should be concerned...
Not just someone who took a wildlife policy
class in college.
Let's bring wildlife education back, y'all.
Put it in schools. Teach it to 3rd graders. Fix the disconnect.
Not just someone who took a wildlife policy
class in college.Let's bring wildlife education back, y'all.
Put it in schools. Teach it to 3rd graders. Fix the disconnect.
